JP2007058099A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector that excels in waterproofness, tension resistance and detachability. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector 1 is equipped with connector plugs 2, 3, an adaptor 4 for connecting the connector plugs 2, 3 with each other, an inner housing 5 for housing the connector plug 2, and an outer housing 6 for housing the connector plug 3 and the adaptor 4. The inner housing 5 is freely detachably held on the outer housing 6 so as to make the connector plug 2 detachable from the adaptor 4. On the upper part of the housing body 12, there is joined a latch piece 14 for latching the inner housing 5 to the outer housing 6, where an locking recess 15 is formed in the latch piece 14 for the purpose of engaging with the outer housing 6. On the reverse side of the latch piece 14, a pair of engaging projections 17 are provided, which protrude to the connector plug 2 and which hold each knob 9a of the connector plug 2 in-between, when the latch piece 14 is elastically deformed to the housing body 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector used in optical communication or the like.

As a conventional optical connector, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, one having two connector plugs having a ferrule holding an optical fiber and an adapter for connecting these connector plugs is known. ing.
JP-A-2-33110

  In recent years, for example, there is an increasing demand for incorporating an optical fiber into an in-vehicle LAN. However, since the in-vehicle environment is very severe, a conventional optical connector cannot be used as it is. Specifically, the parts to be put into the vehicle need to be waterproof in consideration of the weather (rain, snow), car wash, etc. Furthermore, vibrations generated while the vehicle is running, Considering that wiring of optical cords and the like is performed in a narrow environment where they are arranged in a cable, tensile resistance is required. However, the conventional optical connector has a structure in which no consideration is given to such waterproofness and tensile resistance. Furthermore, it is necessary that the connector plug has a structure that can be easily attached to and detached from the adapter.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector excellent in waterproofness, tensile resistance, and easy attachment / detachment.

  An optical connector according to the present invention includes a first connector plug and a second connector plug, an adapter for connecting the first connector plug and the second connector plug, a first housing for accommodating the first connector plug, and a second connector plug. And a second housing that accommodates the adapter. The first housing is detachably supported by the second housing so as to be detachable from the adapter and engages with the second housing. The latch piece has a stop portion, and the latch piece protrudes toward the first connector plug, and the first latch piece is elastically deformed in a direction to release the engagement of the engaging portion with the second housing. A protrusion for engaging with the connector plug is provided.

  In such an optical connector, in a state where the first connector plug and the second connector plug are connected via the adapter, the first connector plug is covered with the first housing, and the second connector plug and the adapter are connected to the second housing. It will be covered with. For this reason, even when an optical connector is installed in a vehicle, for example, water, cleaning liquid, dust, and the like are less likely to enter the first connector plug, the second connector plug, and the adapter, thereby ensuring excellent waterproofness and dustproofness. The When the first connector plug and the second connector plug are connected via the adapter, the latching portion of the latch piece provided in the first housing engages (latches) with the second housing, and the first The housing and the second housing are locked. For this reason, when a tensile force is applied to the optical connector from the outside, it is difficult to apply a force to the first connector plug and the second connector plug, and excellent tensile resistance is ensured.

  Further, in such an optical connector in which the first connector plug and the second connector plug are connected, when removing the first connector plug from the adapter, the latch piece is elastically deformed to lock the second housing. The engagement (latching) of the part is released. At this time, since the protrusion provided on the latch piece engages with the first connector plug, when the first housing is separated from the second housing together with the first connector plug in a state where the first housing is grasped with a finger, The first connector plug comes out of the adapter. Since the first connector plug and the first housing are removed in this manner, the first connector plug and the second housing are removed such that the first housing is separated from the second housing and the first connector plug is further removed from the adapter. Compared with the case where the optical connector is detached separately, the optical connector is more easily attached and detached.

  Preferably, two opposing side surfaces of the first connector plug are provided with knobs for gripping the first connector plug when the first connector plug is attached to and detached from the adapter, respectively, and the protrusion is a pair on the first connector plug side. The pair of protrusions are configured to sandwich each knob portion when the latch piece is elastically deformed in a direction to release the engagement of the locking portion with the second housing. Thus, when the latch piece is elastically deformed and the engagement of the locking portion with respect to the second housing is released, the knob portion of the first connector plug is sandwiched by the pair of protrusions, so that the first housing is in that state. When the is separated from the second housing, the first connector plug can be easily and reliably removed from the adapter together with the second housing.

  Further, the first connector plug has a latch arm for latching with respect to the adapter when it is in a state of being fitted to the adapter, and the latch arm can be released from being latched with respect to the adapter. The latch arm may be pushed in when the latch piece is elastically deformed in a direction to release the engagement of the locking portion with the second housing. Thus, when the latch piece is elastically deformed and the engagement of the locking portion with the second housing is released, the latch arm of the first connector plug is pushed by the protrusion, and the latch of the first connector plug with respect to the adapter is released. The Accordingly, when the first housing is separated from the second housing in this state, the first connector plug can be easily and reliably removed from the adapter together with the first housing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an optical connector excellent in waterproofness, tensile resistance, and ease of attachment / detachment. Thereby, even when the optical connector is used in a harsh environment such as a vehicle, high reliability can be realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an optical connector according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention. In the figure, an optical connector 1 of this embodiment includes connector plugs 2 and 3 with optical cords, an adapter 4 that connects these connector plugs 2 and 3, an inner housing 5 that accommodates the connector plug 2, An outer housing 6 that accommodates the connector plug 3 and the adapter 4 is provided. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the side surfaces of the connector plugs 2 and 3 and the adapter 4 are shown, and cross sections of the inner housing 5 and the outer housing 6 are shown.

  The connector plugs 2 and 3 are called SC connectors as shown in FIG. The connector plugs 2, 3 have a plug body 8 that holds the optical fiber exposed from the outer sheath of the optical cord 7 and a housing 9 that houses the plug body 8. The plug body 8 is made of zirconia or the like, and the housing 9 is made of plastic or the like. On both side surfaces of the housing 9, there are provided knob portions 9a for grasping with fingers when the connector plugs 2 and 3 are attached to and detached from the adapter 4. The knob portion 9a is roughened.

  The adapter 4 has a housing 10, and the housing 10 is formed with two plug accommodating portions 11 that are respectively fitted to the connector plugs 2 and 3. The adapter 4 is made of, for example, the same plastic as the housing 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a sleeve 21 is provided inside the housing 10 to be fitted to the plug body 8 of the connector plugs 2 and 3 inserted into the plug housing portion 11.

  The inner housing 5 is detachably supported by the outer housing 6 so that the connector plug 2 can be attached to and detached from the adapter 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner housing 5 has a housing body 12 having a substantially rectangular cross section, and the connector plug 2 is accommodated in the housing body 12. The opening 12 a on the front end side of the housing body 12 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the adapter 4, and has a size slightly larger than the outer size of the adapter 4. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the adapter 4 can be accommodated in the housing body 12. A seal member 22 made of rubber or plastic is interposed between the inner wall surface of the housing body 12 and the connector plug 2 at a position adjacent to the adapter 4 housed in the housing body 12.

  The opening 12b on the rear end side of the housing body 12 has a circular shape, for example, and has a diameter slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter of the boot 7a of the optical cord 7. A seal member 13 made of rubber or plastic is interposed between the inner wall surface of the housing body 12 and the boot 7a.

  A latch piece 14 that extends to the rear end side of the housing body 12 and latches the inner housing 5 with respect to the outer housing 6 is coupled to the upper portion of the housing body 12. The latch piece 14 is formed with a locking recess 15 that opens to the upper surface and engages with the outer housing 6. Further, a pressing portion 16 for elastically deforming the latch piece 14 toward the housing body 12 against the urging force of the latch piece 14 is provided at the distal end portion of the latch piece 14.

  On the back surface of the latch piece 14, a pair of engagement protrusions 17 projecting toward the connector plug 2 accommodated in the housing body 12 are provided. These engaging projections 17 are configured to sandwich the tabs 9a of the connector plug 2 when the latch piece 14 is elastically deformed toward the housing body 12 (see FIG. 7).

  Inside the outer housing 6, the connector plug 3 is accommodated in a state of being fitted to one plug accommodating portion 11 of the adapter 4. A housing accommodating portion 18 into which the inner housing 5 is inserted is formed in the front end side portion of the outer housing 6. The opening 6 a on the front end side of the outer housing 6 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the inner housing 5. A seal member 23 made of rubber or plastic or the like is interposed between the inner wall surface of the outer housing 6 and the adapter 4 at a portion where the housing body 12 of the inner housing 5 abuts in the housing accommodating portion 18.

  On the inner wall surface of the front end portion of the outer housing 6, a locking projection 19 that engages with the locking recess 15 of the latch piece 14 is provided. The locking projection 19 enters the locking recess 15 of the latch piece 14 and is hooked on one side surface of the locking recess 15, so that the inner housing 5 is latched with respect to the outer housing 6. In this state, when the latch piece 14 is elastically deformed toward the housing body 12, the latched state of the inner housing 5 with respect to the outer housing 6 is released.

  The opening 6 b on the rear end side of the outer housing 6 has a circular shape, for example, and has a diameter slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter of the boot 7 a of the optical cord 7. A seal member 20 made of rubber or plastic is interposed between the inner wall surface of the outer housing 6 and the boot 7a.

  The inner housing 5 and the outer housing 6 are made of, for example, the same plastic as the housing 9.

  In a state where the connector plugs 2 and 3 are connected to each other via the adapter 4, as shown in FIG. 1, the connector plug 2 and a part of the adapter 4 are covered with the inner housing 5, and the connector plug 3 and the adapter 4 and a part of the inner housing 5 are covered with the outer housing 6. That is, the connector plugs 2 and 3 and the adapter 4 are protected by the inner housing 5 and the outer housing 6.

  In addition, a seal member 22 is interposed between the housing body 12 of the inner housing 5, the connector plug 2, and the tip of the adapter 4, and between the outer housing 6, the front end of the inner housing 5, and the adapter 4. A seal member 23 is interposed between the two. A seal member 13 is interposed between the housing body 12 of the inner housing 5 and the boot 7 a of the optical cord 7, and a seal member 20 is interposed between the outer housing 6 and the boot 7 a of the optical cord 7. Intervened.

  Therefore, even when the optical connector 1 is provided in an environment such as a vehicle, rainwater, cleaning liquid used during car washing, dust, and the like do not easily enter the connector plugs 2 and 3 and the adapter 4. As shown in FIG. 3, it is more preferable to provide a seal member 24 at a portion of the connector plug 2 where the tip of the sleeve 21 of the adapter 4 contacts.

  Further, in the state as shown in FIG. 1, the engaging projection 19 of the outer housing 6 is fitted into the engaging recess 15 formed in the latch piece 14 of the inner housing 5, so that the inner housing 5 and the outer housing 6 Will be locked. For this reason, for example, when the optical connector 1 is provided in a vehicle, even if a tensile force is applied to the optical connector 1 from the outside due to vibrations or the like during traveling of the vehicle, almost no force is applied to the internal connector plugs 2 and 3. Therefore, the connector plug 2 does not come out of the adapter 4.

  When removing the connector plug 2 from the adapter 4, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the pressing portion 16 of the latch piece 14 is pushed with a finger, and the latch piece 14 is elastically deformed toward the housing body 12, thereby The latched (locked) state of the inner housing 5 is released. At this time, in conjunction with the elastic deformation of the latch piece 14, the pair of engaging projections 17 provided on the back surface of the latch piece 14 are lowered, and the knob portion 9 a of the connector plug 2 is sandwiched between the engaging projections 17. (See FIG. 7).

  Then, while maintaining this state, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner housing 5 is grasped with a finger and pulled out from the outer housing 6. At this time, since the connector plug 2 is sandwiched between the pair of engaging protrusions 17, the connector plug 2 is accommodated in one plug of the adapter 4 at the same time as the inner housing 5 is pulled out from the outer housing 6. It is extracted from the part 11. That is, the connector plug 2 and the inner housing 5 can be removed at a time.

  When the connector plug 2 is attached to the adapter 4, the latch piece 14 is elastically deformed toward the housing body 12 by holding the inner housing 5 and pushing it into the housing accommodating portion 18 of the outer housing 6. The connector plug 2 is clamped by 17. Then, with the state maintained, the inner housing 5 is further pushed into the housing accommodating portion 18 of the outer housing 6, and the connector plug 2 is inserted into one plug accommodating portion 11 of the adapter 4. As a result, the latch piece 14 returns to the initial state as shown in FIG. 1, and the inner housing 5 is latched with respect to the outer housing 6 by the latch piece 14.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inner housing 5 that houses the connector plug 2, the connector plug 3, and the adapter 4, and the housing housing portion 18 into which a part of the inner housing 5 is inserted and housed. Thus, an optical connector 1 having high waterproofness and dustproofness that can withstand an in-vehicle environment in a state where the connector plugs 2 and 3 are connected to each other via the adapter 4 is obtained. Can do.

  Since the inner housing 5 is provided with the latch piece 14 and the connector plugs 2 and 3 are connected to each other via the adapter 4, the inner housing 5 is latched with respect to the outer housing 6. High tensile resistance.

  Further, since the latch piece 14 is provided with a pair of engaging projections 17 for holding the connector plug 2 when the latch piece 14 is elastically deformed in a direction to release the latch of the inner housing 5 with respect to the outer housing 6 on the back surface of the latch piece 14. The attachment / detachment of the connector plug 2 to / from the adapter 4 and the attachment / detachment of the inner housing 5 to / from the outer housing 6 can be performed collectively. Thereby, the connector plug 2 and the inner housing 5 can be easily attached and detached.

  In addition, since existing SC connectors are used as the connector plugs 2 and 3 and existing adapters suitable for the SC connector are used as the adapters 4, high connection accuracy between the plug bodies 8 of the connector plugs 2 and 3 is guaranteed. . In addition, there is no need to newly design and manufacture connector plugs and adapters, and only by providing the inner housing 5, the outer housing 6 and the seal member 24 separately, the waterproof, dustproof, tensile resistance and ease of attachment and removal are good. Since the optical connector 1 can be realized, it is advantageous in terms of cost.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the optical connector according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, a connector plug and an adapter of a type different from the optical connector 1 of the first embodiment are used, and the structures of the inner housing and the outer housing are changed accordingly. In the figure, the same or equivalent members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the figure, an optical connector 30 of this embodiment includes connector plugs 31 and 32 with optical cords, an adapter 33 that connects these connector plugs 31 and 32, an inner housing 34 that accommodates the connector plug 31, An outer housing 35 that houses the connector plug 32 and the adapter 33 is provided.

  The connector plugs 31 and 32 are called LC connectors as shown in FIG. The connector plugs 31 and 32 have a plug main body 36 that holds the optical fiber of the optical cord 7 and a housing 37 that accommodates the plug main body 36. A latch arm 38 that extends toward the rear of the housing 37 and latches the connector plugs 31 and 32 with respect to the adapter 33 is fixed to the front upper surface of the housing 37.

  The adapter 33 has a housing 39, and the housing 39 is formed with two plug housing portions 40 that fit into the connector plugs 31 and 32, respectively. An arm accommodating portion 41 into which the latch arm 38 enters is formed on the upper portion of each plug accommodating portion 40. In a state where the connector plugs 31 and 32 are latched with respect to the adapter 33, the latch arm 38 engages with the upper inner wall surface of the housing 39 that forms a part of the arm accommodating portion 41. In this state, when the latch arm 38 is elastically deformed (pushed) toward the housing 37, the latch of the connector plugs 31 and 32 with respect to the adapter 33 can be released.

  The inner housing 34 is detachably supported by the outer housing 35 so that the connector plug 31 can be attached to and detached from the adapter 33. As shown in FIG. 10, the inner housing 34 has a housing main body 42 having a substantially rectangular cross section, and the connector plug 31 is accommodated in the housing main body 42. The opening 42 a on the front end side of the housing main body 42 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the adapter 33, and has a size slightly larger than the outer size of the adapter 33.

  The opening 42b on the rear end side of the housing body 42 is the same as the housing body 12 of the inner housing 5 in the first embodiment. A seal member 13 is interposed between the housing body 42 and the boot 7 a of the optical cord 7.

  A latch piece 43 that extends to the rear end side of the housing body 42 and latches the inner housing 34 with respect to the outer housing 35 is coupled to the upper portion of the housing body 42. This latch piece 43 has the latching recessed part 15 and the pressing part 16 of the same structure as the latch piece 14 in said 1st Embodiment.

  On the back surface of the latch piece 43, an engagement protrusion 44 that protrudes toward the connector plug 31 accommodated in the housing body 42 is provided. The engaging projection 44 is configured to push the latch arm 38 of the connector plug 31 when the latch piece 43 is elastically deformed toward the housing body 42 (see FIG. 12).

  Inside the outer housing 35, the connector plug 32 is accommodated in a state of being fitted to one plug accommodating portion 40 of the adapter 33. A housing accommodating portion 45 into which the inner housing 34 is inserted and accommodated is formed at the front end side portion of the outer housing 35. The opening 35 a on the front end side of the outer housing 35 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the outer shape of the inner housing 34. A seal member 46 made of rubber or plastic or the like is interposed between the inner wall surface of the outer housing 35 and the adapter 33 at a portion where the housing main body 42 of the inner housing 34 abuts in the housing accommodating portion 45. On the upper inner wall surface of the front end portion of the outer housing 35, a locking projection 19 that engages with the locking recess 15 of the latch piece 43 is provided.

  The opening 35b on the rear end side of the outer housing 35 is the same as the outer housing 6 in the first embodiment. A seal member 20 is interposed between the outer housing 35 and the boot 7 a of the optical cord 7.

  Further, in the plug accommodating portion 40 of the adapter 33, a seal member 47 is interposed at a portion where the tip of the housing 37 of the connector plug 31 contacts (see FIG. 11). Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a seal member 48 is interposed in a portion of the housing 37 of the connector plug 31 where the tip of the sleeve (not shown) of the adapter 33 contacts.

  In a state where the connector plugs 31 and 32 are connected to each other via the adapter 33, when the connector plug 31 is removed from the adapter 33, first, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressing portion 16 of the latch piece 43 is pressed with a finger, The latch state of the inner housing 34 with respect to the outer housing 35 is released by elastically deforming the latch piece 43 toward the housing body 42 side. At this time, in conjunction with the elastic deformation of the latch piece 43, the engagement protrusion 44 provided on the back surface of the latch piece 43 is lowered, and this engagement protrusion 44 pushes down the latch arm 38 of the connector plug 31.

  Then, while maintaining this state, the inner housing 34 is grasped with a finger and pulled out from the outer housing 35 as shown in FIG. At this time, the latch arm 38 of the connector plug 31 is pushed down by the engaging protrusion 44 and the latch of the connector plug 31 with respect to the adapter 33 is released, so that the inner housing 34 is pulled out from the outer housing 35. At the same time, the connector plug 31 is extracted from the adapter 33.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the existing connector plugs 31 and 32 and the adapter 33, the inner housing 34 and the outer housing 35 having the latch piece 43 are provided. Can be obtained in an optical connector 30 that is excellent in waterproofness, dustproofness and tensile resistance.

  Since the latch piece 43 is elastically deformed in the direction of releasing the latch of the inner housing 34 with respect to the outer housing 35 on the back surface of the latch piece 43, the engagement protrusion 44 that pushes down the latch arm 38 of the connector plug 31 is provided. The attachment / detachment of the connector plug 31 to / from the adapter 33 and the attachment / detachment of the inner housing 34 to / from the outer housing 35 can be easily performed collectively.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the optical cord 7 may be covered from the outside with a reinforcing coating (for example, a metal tube, a reinforcing tube, a cable, or the like). In this case, when a tensile force is applied to the optical connector from the outside, the optical cord 7 in the reinforcing coating is not applied with much force.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the latching recessed part 15 was formed in the latch piece of the inner housing, and it was set as the structure which provided the latching convex part 19 engaged with this latching recessed part 15 in an outer housing, it latches to an outer housing. You may form a recessed part and provide a latching convex part in the latch piece of an inner side housing.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the outer housing is integrated, but the outer housing may be of a separated type composed of a plurality of housing members, for example.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although SC connector and LC connector were used as a connector plug, this invention is applicable also to connector plugs other than these, for example, multiple SC and LC connector, MU connector, etc.

1 is a cross-sectional view (including a partial side view) illustrating a first embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the connector plug and adapter shown in FIG. It is a partial cross section figure of the connector plug and adapter shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the inner housing shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which cancelled | released the latch of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which pulled out one connector plug from the adapter shown in FIG. It is a front view of the inner side housing of the state which accommodated the connector plug shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing (partial side view is included) which shows 2nd Embodiment of the optical connector which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the connector plug and adapter shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inner housing shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector plug shown in FIG. 9. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which cancelled | released the latch of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which pulled out one connector plug from the adapter shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector, 2 ... Connector plug (1st connector plug), 3 ... Connector plug (2nd connector plug), 4 ... Adapter, 5 ... Inner housing (1st housing), 6 ... Outer housing (2nd housing) , 9a ... Knob part, 14 ... Latch piece, 15 ... Locking recess (locking part), 17 ... Engaging projection, 30 ... Optical connector, 31 ... Connector plug (first connector plug), 32 ... Connector plug (first) 2 connector plug), 33 ... adapter, 34 ... inner housing (first housing), 35 ... outer housing (second housing), 38 ... latch arm, 43 ... latch piece, 44 ... engagement protrusion.

Claims (3)

A first connector plug and a second connector plug;
An adapter for connecting the first connector plug and the second connector plug;
A first housing that houses the first connector plug;
A second housing for accommodating the second connector plug and the adapter;
The first housing is detachably supported by the second housing so that the first connector plug is attached to and detached from the adapter, and a latch piece having a latching portion that engages with the second housing. Have
The latch piece protrudes toward the first connector plug and engages with the first connector plug when the latch piece is elastically deformed in a direction to release the engagement of the locking portion with the second housing. An optical connector characterized in that a projection is provided. On the two opposing side surfaces of the first connector plug, there are provided knobs for gripping the first connector plug when it is attached to and detached from the adapter,
The protrusions protrude in a pair on the first connector plug side,
The pair of protrusions are configured to sandwich the knob portions when the latch piece is elastically deformed in a direction to release the engagement of the locking portion with the second housing. The optical connector according to claim 1. The first connector plug has a latch arm for latching with respect to the adapter when in a state of being fitted to the adapter;
The latch arm is capable of releasing the latch with respect to the adapter by pushing,
2. The projection is configured to push the latch arm when the latch piece is elastically deformed in a direction to release the engagement of the locking portion with the second housing. The optical connector described.

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